Market update - May 2017

Markets were dominated by political and geopolitical events throughout May. While centrist Emmanuel Macron’s victory in the French presidential election boosted investor confidence early in the month, ongoing geopolitical concerns in the Middle East and North Korea continued to weigh on market performance. In the US, concerns mounted over the possibility that US President Donald Trump could be impeached following accusations that he disclosed classified information to Russian officials. These events corresponded with the MSCI World Index and S&P 500 Index falling more than 1.5% and 1.8% respectively in a single day.

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) left interest rates unchanged at its May meeting, noting the recent weakness in US economic data, but expressing the belief that this was ‘transitionary’ in nature, while signaling that they are on track to continue raising interest rates in 2017. Further plans to reduce the Fed’s $4.5tn balance sheet were outlined, with a proposal to allow a capped number of bonds to roll-off monthly without being reinvested. Towards the end of the month, US equities rallied following the release of the US Federal budget, which outlined proposed infrastructure and defense spending initiatives.

The Reserve Bank of Australia revised their inflation and growth forecasts slightly upwards, with first quarter GDP weakness attributed to the impact of Cyclone Debbie on coal exports. Australian equities trended lower over the month, led by weak performance from the banking sector following the release of the Australian Federal Budget, which proposed a new levy on major banks. The broader Financials sector was also weighed down toward the end of the month, when ratings agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded the credit ratings of 23 Australian financial institutions, citing heightened risks to a sharp correction in domestic property prices, compounded by weak domestic wage growth.

The investment returns of the major markets for one and three months and financial year to 31 May 2017 are summarised below.

The MSCI World Index ex-Australia (hedged into AUD) rose 1.9% over the month. The Australian dollar depreciated against most developed market currencies in May, which resulted in a return for unhedged overseas equities of 2.9% (in AUD). In developed markets, the UK (4.9%) and Japan (2.2%) outperformed the broader market, while Canada (-1.4%) and the US (1.4%) underperformed. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index (3.4%) outperformed unhedged developed markets.
Both Australian and global bonds (hedged into AUD) delivered positive returns in May, lifting their returns for the financial year to May to a positive territory.

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